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Science and art: Still two cultures divided?

In his 1959 essay, the novelist C. P. Snow argued that science and the humanities were dangerously divided – but is it still true in 2009?

Stefan Collini

C. P. Snow intended to call his lecture “The Rich and the Poor” – and regretted not doing so. This title points to what remains valuable about the essay now. Helping the world’s impoverished majority meet their basic needs remains an obligation of richer societies, and applied science is a vital tool.

In other ways, though, Snow’s lecture is superficial and misleading. Despite its subsequent reputation, it does not make useful distinctions between types …